Politics

The following was actually a much longer conversation:

Anonymous co-worker 'a': "So-and-so did such-and-such and then we all had to do the whole thing again"
Me: "Really? Oh dear."
Anonymous onlooker 'x': "Oh my God. I never knew the Library had so much politics. It's like Game of Thrones."
Me: "Yeah, except without be-headings and boobs"
Anonymous co-worker 'a': "Well we have boobs."
Me: "Just not naked."

So, basically, nowhere near as much fun.

It got me thinking, though, about the politics in our workplaces, and how they affect what we do. At the end of my last post I mentioned the need for strong leadership. My thoughts keep coming back to the idea of "library leadership" as a theme.

Recently I moved from a very hierarchical workplace. Now I am working in a comparatively flat structure where people seem to be clambering all over one another.

In my previous workplace, I had the pleasure of having an incredibly wonderful boss. He listened to our ideas, supported staff to do the best they could, and encouraged me to fulfill my dreams both personally and professionally. He was a natural leader. He also did not play politics.

How do I create this in my current workplace? How can we become leaders without stabbing someone else in the back? How can I create a truly supportive workplace culture?